Backrooms

Introduction to The Backrooms

Imagine stumbling into an endless maze of yellowed, fluorescent-lit rooms, where the hum of lights and the stench of damp carpet haunt your every step. This is The Backrooms, a creepypasta-born horror concept that has exploded into a gaming sensation. Originating from a 2019 4chan post, The Backrooms has evolved from a chilling internet myth into a thriving genre of indie horror games, captivating players with its liminal space aesthetic and existential dread.

Gameplay: Surviving the Backrooms

Backrooms games typically blend exploration, puzzle-solving, and survival horror. Here’s how to thrive in these eerie mazes:

Exploration and Navigation

Levels are often non-linear, with procedural generation creating unpredictable layouts. In Backrooms: Escape Together, each level has unique puzzles and lootable items, requiring thorough exploration. Take notes or use in-game tools like spray paint to mark paths, as seen in The Backrooms 1998.

Avoiding Entities

Entities like “Hunting Dogs” or humanoid creatures stalk the halls, reacting to sound and movement. Move slowly, crouch, and hide in lockers or crawl spaces when spotted. In Inside the Backrooms, knocking over objects can alert monsters, so stealth is key.

Resource Management

Collect supplies like food, water, or batteries to maintain sanity and stamina. The Backrooms: Survival requires eating and drinking to avoid insanity, adding strategic depth. Multiplayer games often involve sharing resources, heightening tension.

Escaping the Maze

The ultimate goal is to find an exit, often through solving puzzles or reaching higher levels. Backroom Company tasks players with delivering items to a control room, while The Backrooms 1998 focuses on collecting clues to unravel a story. Multiple endings in many titles encourage replaying.

Conclusion

The Backrooms games offer a chilling blend of liminal horror, survival challenges, and community-driven lore, making them a standout in the indie horror scene. From the co-op thrills of Inside the Backrooms to the solo terror of The Backrooms 1998, there’s a game for every horror fan.